In Hollywood nothing is a sure bet.

OH SO HOT ... The career of Wentworth Miller is set to skyrocket in 2006.

Take, for example, Christian Bale. He landed the lead role in one of the most anticipated films of 2005, Batman Begins, and then simply faded into oblivion - at least in terms of media coverage.

It’s not that Bale gave a poor performance as Batman (he didn’t) or that the movie was a flop (it wasn’t).

He simply fell victim to “The TomKat” - an alleged media ploy developed by Tom Cruise and Batman co-star Katie Holmes to steal the spotlight from every other actor in order to promote their films and careers.

While no one could have seen it coming, the TomKat media blitz did teach us one thing - it’s impossible to predict who will be the next Rachel McAdams or Orlando Bloom.

That, however, has not stopped the Sun, with the help of Star! Daily’s new host Dina Pugliese, from putting together a list of stars we think will shine in 2006, barring all TomKats, of course.

• WENTWORTH MILLER

With the breakout success of Fox’s penitentiary drama Prison Break having cemented Miller’s status as TV’s new sexy lead actor, he’s sure to make the transition to the big screen in 2006.

It’s a simple industry rule - someone who is that hot must be seen four times their actual size.

• STEVE BYERS

Byers’ roll as wake-boarding jock Jason Tanner in Falcon Beach (Canada’s answer to The O.C.) is sure to get this Toronto-born actor noticed.

“He’s got the looks, he’s got the charm and he’s got the body. He’s got all the ingredients to be Canada’s next big teenage heartthrob,” says Pugliese.

• AVRIL LAVIGNE

Canada’s punk pop princess has signed up to act, yes act, in a few projects, including the screen adaptation of Eric Schlosser’s best-selling expose Fast Food Nation.

While we don’t expect Lavigne to actually show any on-screen talent, more press is always good press when trying to navigate your way back into the spotlight.

• NAOMIE HARRIS

At 29, Harris (After the Sunset, 28 Days Later), one of Britain’s hottest actresses, is finally making a name for herself in Hollywood. In 2006, she’s set to star in three of the biggest movies of the year - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and Miami Vice.

• ELLEN PAGE

This 18-year-old Halifax-raised actor is well on her way to becoming the next “it” girl despite a rather trashy start.

Best known in Canada as Treena Lahey (Mr. Lahey’s daughter) on Trailer Park Boys, Page has now been cast as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat in X-Men 3, set to be released this spring.

• KERI RUSSELL

Russell, who’ll forever be known as the conflicted college student Felicity, will hit the big screen this year in her most high-profile role to date. She’ll star opposite Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III in the role of a junior agent, which was intended for Scarlett Johansson.

While MI3 should do wonders for Russell’s career, she’ll have to keep one eye on Cruise and the other on the length of her famous hair if she truly wants to shine this year.

• BRANDON ROUTH

Despite his limited experience, the 26-year-old Iowa native somehow managed to land the lead role in the new Superman movie, Superman Returns.

This part will skyrocket Routh to stardom, predicts Pugliese. “He landed the gig of the year. With the passing of Christopher Reeves, people are really going to be watching this movie. It’s going to be huge.”

While getting the part is massive for Routh, it is his super “package” that’s currently generating the most buzz.

Apparently the studio had to edit his “bulge” down in size because it proved too distracting for test audiences.

• HEATHER GRAHAM

She won over the hearts of moviegoers with her roles in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Boogie Nights and TV audiences in Scrubs. Now, Graham is set to star in her own sitcom, Emily’s Reasons Why Not.

While Graham’s new show, about a single woman who is navigating the New York dating scene, sounds very Sex and the City, we can’t help but wonder ... Why not The Continuing Adventures of Roller Girl? Now, that would be an instant hit!

• JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

While Timberlake has already reached super-stardom in the music world, with upcoming roles in Shrek 3, Southland Tales with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Black Snake Moan and Alpha Dog, he’s expected to become a bona fide movie star this coming year. And we thought Christmas was over.

• TRICIA HELFER

Alberta actress and former supermodel Helfer will go from Battlestar Galactica to babysitting battling hot chicks in 2006 when she hosts Canada’s Next Top Model, set to air in mid-May on Citytv.

“With the success of America’s Next Top Model, the show is getting tons of buzz already,” says Pugliese. “Helfer’s a big star - she’s going to give Tyra (Banks) a run for her runway.”